MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is adding 100 new patrol boats of various capacities to its existing fleet to strengthen its patrol functions in Philippine coastal boundaries nationwide.
Fisheries director Asis Perez said 27 units of 43-footer vessels are being constructed this year, some of which would be commissioned in June. Each unit costs P6 million.
Seventy-one units of 30-footer patrol vessels costing around P1.3 million each are also being constructed. Some units would also be deployed in June.
The smaller vessels would be used for patrolling in municipal waters.
Slated for construction within the year and deployment by next year are two units of 55-meter boats to be used in high seas patrol duties. Each unit would cost P180 million each.
For security reasons, the number of patrol vessels in BFAR’s existing fleet could not be disclosed.
Perez said the budget for the new patrol vessels came from the previous year’s allocation, while some would be obtained from this year’s allocation.
He said the heightened patrol functions would not be limited to disputed waters such as the Panatag Shoal where hostilities with Chinese maritime entities are reported from time to time.
The side of the country exposed to the Pacific Ocean, for instance, is vulnerable to poachers because of less economic activity and less presence of Philippine vessels.
BFAR personnel, he said, would also implement stronger monitoring of municipal waters during closed seasons.
BFAR recently imposed stricter trading and gathering regulations for several species like blue swimming crabs and sea cucumber, requiring increased monitoring.